Barnett sacked after just 12 games at Seaford helm

Ben Barnett

Published:17:08Thursday 12 February 2015

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Ben Barnett has been sacked as player-manger of Seaford Town after just 12 games in charge at the Crouch.

Barnett was installed as manager in October following the dismissal of Paul Harrison after a run of defeats that stretched back the entire season. But Barnett’s tenure has proved equally difficult -picking up zero points from his 12 games at the helm - although he believes he has been unfairly treated and says he should have been given more time.

“I’m disappointed and I feel like I’ve been made a scapegoat,” Barnett said. “I feel like we have made progress and the inability for the club to be patient is going to cost them in the long run.

“I feel like we were starting to build a strong squad and another change will just mean that other players will follow me out of the door.

“I don’t feel I’ve been given a fair crack and I took over after lots of heavy defeats.”

Barnett was widely credited with improving the atmosphere at the Crouch, and although positive results have not followed suit , he appeared to have the backing of the club’s board.

However, chairman Bob Thomsett revealed a clubhouse clash between Barnett and the referee after last Saturday’s narrow defeat to Rustington had forced his hand, and he insists the decision was made with Barnett’s and the club’s best interests in mind.

“We felt that the job wasn’t doing Ben any good,” Thomsett said. “He’s a lovely bloke but he’s been sent off twice in the last five games and that’s not him. Hopefully we haven’t seen the last of him as a player but we thought the pressure of being manager was doing him no favours whatsoever.”

Thomsett also revealed Barnett had offered his resignation in January but he said he had talked him out of it.

While Thomsett is keen for him to carry on as a player, Barnett insists he will be leaving the club in all capacities along with brother and assistant Dan Barnett, and player/assistant-manager Tom O’Donnell.

John Foley will take charge for the rest of the season starting with Midhurst & Easbourne at the Crouch tomorrow.

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